Frozen-Wave Pulse Generator for Low-Jitter Spectral Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-power electrical pulse generators struggle to synchronize with other systems and control the spectral content of high-voltage, short electrical pulses, due to time jitter and bulky designs requiring significant optical energy.
Innovation Solution
A high-voltage frozen-wave electrical pulse generator that controls spectral content by adjusting the power difference of laser beam fractions directed to photoconductive elements, using means such as rectilinear polarization phase delay and Wollaston-type polarizers, allowing precise control of pulse profiles and synchronization with other systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If avalanche mode photoconductive switching is used to generate high-power short pulses, then high voltage switching capability is achieved, but time jitter increases to several tens of picoseconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameter of the photoconductive switch from avalanche mode to linear mode. This parameter change reduces the time jitter from several tens of picoseconds to approximately 1 picosecond while maintaining the high voltage switching capability, thus resolving the contradiction between power and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If linear mode photoconductive switching is used to reduce time jitter, then time jitter decreases to picosecond level, but optical energy requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical energy distribution by using a beam splitter to divide the laser beam into two separate beams, each directed to a different photoconductive switch. This allows independent control of optical energy for each switch, enabling the system to achieve low time jitter while managing optical energy requirements through selective illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the optical beam path using a variable optical attenuator or similar device that can adjust the intensity of light reaching each photoconductive switch. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between time jitter performance and optical energy consumption based on operational requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If delay line is added to control spectral content, then spectral profile control is achieved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spectral control function from the time delay mechanism. Instead of using a physical delay line to control spectral content, the patent directly controls the spectral profile by adjusting the optical energy distribution between the two photoconductive switches through the beam splitter and variable attenuator, thereby achieving spectral control without adding bulky delay line components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If synchronous control of multiple generators is required, then coordination capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical beam serve multiple functions: it simultaneously activates the photoconductive switches for pulse generation and provides a reference signal for synchronization with other electrical or optical systems. This multi-functionality of the optical beam enables synchronous control without requiring separate complex synchronization circuitry, thus improving coordination capability while minimizing system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables low-time-jitter, high-reproducibility, and adjustable spectral profiles for high-power pulses, allowing synchronization with other electrical or optical systems, reducing bulkiness and optical energy requirements.
Implementation Method 1
two passive doped-silicon photoconductive elements operating in a linear mode forming photosensitive switches
Implementation Method 2
means for splitting said laser beam into two laser beam fractions, in which each laser beam fraction is directed respectively toward a photoconductive element of the generation system, and said splitting means are capable of controlling the distribution of the respective powers of said two laser beam fractions according to the orientation of the polarization of the laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a high-voltage pulse generator including a “frozen-wave” generation system for generating high-voltage pulses and a trigger system for triggering the pulses, the generation system including a first and a second photoconductor element, wherein the triggering system includes means for generating a laser light beam and means for splitting the laser beam into two laser beam fractions, each laser beam fraction being directed onto a photoconductor element of the generation system, the splitting means being capable of controlling the distribution of the respective powers of the two laser beam fractions as a function of the orientation of the polarization of the laser beam. The present disclosure also relates to a facility comprising multiple high-voltage pulse generators and electrooptic pump-probe equipment operating such a high-voltage pulse generator.